76 Oil Wells Dispute: We Need a Political Solution — Castro Ezama Urges Cross River Stakeholders to Unite

76 Oil Wells Dispute: We Need a Political Solution — Castro Ezama Urges Cross River Stakeholders to Unite

 

 

Prominent Cross River advocate, Castro Ezama, has called for a unified political approach to resolving the long-standing dispute over the controversial 76 oil wells ceded to Akwa Ibom State.

 

In a passionate public statement, Ezama stressed that only a coordinated political intervention — not finger-pointing or litigation alone — can bring justice and restore Cross River’s economic lifeline.

 

Ezama, writing from Northern Ukelle, emphasized the urgent need for a powerful, non-partisan delegation of Cross River’s most influential legal minds, political figures, and traditional leaders to meet with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to seek redress on the matter.

 

“The delegation should, in no particular order, include legal luminaries such as Kanu Agabi (SAN), Joe Agi (SAN), Paul Erokoro (SAN), Nella Andem (SAN); political veterans like Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, Senator Liyel Imoke, and Mr. Donald Duke; as well as current National Assembly members, traditional rulers, and other respected voices in the state,” Ezama stated.

 

He warned that leaving the matter solely in the hands of National Assembly members would be insufficient, describing the task as too complex and politically sensitive for a single arm of government to handle.

 

“This is not the time for blame games or partisan politics. If we must be distracted by blame, then we’re embarking on a long and unnecessary ride. It won’t end well,” he cautioned. “Let’s drop the blame game and stand up for Cross River State.”

 

Ezama referenced the 2012 Supreme Court ruling that saw the oil wells awarded to Akwa Ibom, noting that the political climate at the time worked against Cross River. He pointed out that Senator Godswill Akpabio, who was then Governor of Akwa Ibom and is now the Senate President, had stronger ties to then-President Goodluck Jonathan compared to Cross River’s leadership at the time.

 

“Today, Senator Akpabio is the number three man in the country. He is a power broker. He was Akwa Ibom before Nigeria then — and still is. He’s brought his state into the centre of power. They are ‘Arising’ together,” Ezama noted, alluding to Akwa Ibom’s political slogan.

 

He lamented Cross River’s weak proximity to the seat of power, saying, “Our State is still ‘far’ from Abuja. This is a sad reality.”

 

However, Ezama expressed optimism that with the right team and strategy, Cross River can make a compelling case — even potentially returning to the Supreme Court with stronger evidence that the state remains a littoral one, contrary to arguments used in the past to strip it of offshore oil entitlements.

 

“DPR officials should be invited to verify — we have more oil wells than we imagine. It will end in praise,” he said confidently.

 

Ending his appeal on a hopeful note, Ezama reiterated, “We need a political solution. Let’s act together — with unity, purpose, and determination.”

 

The 76 oil wells dispute remains one of the most contentious inter-state resource battles in Nigeria’s recent history, with billions of naira in revenue at stake. Many in Cross River have long felt shortchanged and neglected by the federal system — a sentiment Ezama’s call seeks to mobilize into collective action.